Mar '20
Like Humans, Elephants Console One Another in Times Tough Times
Just as a hug can reassure another human that "everything's going to be ok," gentle touches and trunk strokes can carry the same message between elephants.
Elephants are extremely social creatures that establish strong bonds with each other. They fiercely protect babies and mourn their dead, so it's not too shocking to find that they also console one another, too.
Feb '20
An elephant love story in Harties
This elephant experience was EVERYTHING!
"I only wish I could spend more time with these beautiful creatures.
The handlers are well informed, and you can tell they have a really special, trusting bond with the elephants kept here at the moment. The handlers were able to answer any and all questions about elephants that us as a group had, and you got the feeling the elephants are happy in their care.
Jan '20
Why elephants love baobab and spekboom trees
Baobab and Elephant
Both are icons of Africa, easily identifiable from a distance by their distinctive shape. Both can reach considerable sizes and ideally reach very old age. They even share a similar color spectrum. It is therefore not surprising that Baobabs are sometimes referred to as “elephants” in the kingdom of plants.
The size of the baobab tree can vary, it can shrink and expand depending on its needs. In the dry season the trunk shrinks and when water is abundant, the trunk expands to support more water storage. But even though they only need a minimal amount of water they need some water – and if they do not get it over long periods they dry out and die.
Jan '20
Understanding Elephant Behaviour
Elephants are intelligent, emotional and like humans, they have a personal space that they do not like being invaded. They appreciate silence, patience and slow, consistent movements. It is important to read their body language and let common sense prevail when in their presence.
Although there are many more, we’ve highlighted seven classic elephant behaviours:
Standing Tall (threat behaviour)
Elephants normally stand or move about with eyes cast down. A direct gaze with eyes open is a component of many displays. A typical posture used mainly by females in challenging non-elephant threats, such as predators and people, would be standing or moving with the head held well above the shoulders, the chin raised ( as opposed to tucked in) and looking down at her adversary over her tusks with an eyes-open-stare and ears maximally forward. The animal appears to increase in height and sometimes deliberately stand upon and object such as a log or anthill in order to increase its height. The elephant means: I’ve got you in my sights, so watch it!
Dec '19
The unique elephant memory
Elephants travel along ancient routes that have been followed for generations. They cross rivers only because they know what lies on the other side. Like us, their long lives and excellent memories enable them to accumulate a huge store of knowledge. And like us too, their strong family bonds allow them to share this knowledge between themselves.
Nov '19
The silent thunder of elephants
“Elephants are extremely social, long-lived beings whose intelligence is informed by deep memories and passions”, says Katy Payne.
The extent to which elephants' emotions are shared is especially striking. This is reflected in their patterns of calling during periods of searching, finding, celebrating, comforting and helping one another.
Oct '19
Sadly, the death of the six elephants that plummeted to their deaths will be mourned by their family members
In the early hours of Saturday morning, rangers at the Khao Yai National Park in Thailand heard loud elephant calls coming from a ravine.
They arrived at a grim scene: six dead elephants, seemingly killed by a raging waterfall known as Haew Narok—or “Hell’s Abyss.”
No one witnessed the incident, but track patterns at the site, along with elephants’ known tendency to form close social bonds, lead park officials to believe that a calf fell over the waterfall and five adults died while trying to save it.
Oct '19
Top luxury accommodation bordering an Elephant Sanctuary
Elephant Country Guest House
Elephants hold a huge draw for people on luxury safaris, and it’s no surprise – these amazing animals have intricate family ties, and human-like emotions. There is almost nothing better than watching baby elephants role around in the mud or play with their siblings.
Elephant Country Guest House has a classic elegance to it which comes naturally, and this luxury guest house certainly delivers when it comes to elephants.
There is a waterhole next to the guest house where the elephants gather every day, This accommodation in itself is just fantastic for elephant viewing because everywhere you turn they will be feeding or brushed down.
Oct '19
Elephants form joints with their trunks to pick up their breakfast bran
Elephants are huge and therefore they have to eat a lot every day. Adults consume an average of 200 kilograms of food each day—most of it vegetation. Because of their enormous appetite, elephants must be able to eat a wide variety of food, whether small or large.
However, even though they look clumsy, elephants can quickly and easily grab and very quickly eat small objects. But how do they pick up and eat things like grain or even flour with only a trunk as cutlery?
Aug '19
Are elephants afraid of mice?
Credit: Eric Isselee / Shutterstock.com
If you think there's no way a huge elephant could fear a mouse, you'd be correct ... sort of.
From the movie "Dumbo" to Saturday morning cartoons, the image of an elephant cowering from a minuscule mouse is pretty well established. But the elephant's fear has more to do with the element of surprise than the mouse itself.
Theories abound that elephants are afraid of mice because the tiny creatures nibble on their feet or can climb up into their trunks. However, there's no evidence to back up either of those claims.
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